All eyes were on the Missouri Capitol last week as we held our annual veto session. Multiple national news organizations parked their satellite trucks around the circle drive, and countless citizens flocked to the building to see how the Legislature would handle the governor’s veto of a number of high-profile bills passed during the previous session.

Out of more than 200 bills approved by the Legislature this year, 29 were vetoed, a new record for this administration, and as a percentage of bills passed, one of the most in the modern Legislature. Luckily, out of the 13 measures I filed this session, six passed and became law and none were vetoed. However, a number of important measures were, creating what was one of the most anticipated veto sessions in recent memory.

The General Assembly was successful in overriding the governor’s veto of 10 bills, the most since 1833, when divorces were only granted upon the approval of the Legislature. The bills overrode this week included:

• House Bill 19, which appropriates $1 million for the reconstruction of the Lincoln-Pike Technical Career Center;
• House Bill 278, which bars governments, both local and state, from restricting the celebration of federal holidays;
• Legislation that modifies the law relating to funeral trusts, financial institutions, and exemptions under bankruptcy proceedings, among other provisions;
• A measure that prohibits uninsured drivers from receiving noneconomic damages against insured drivers in lawsuits relating to motor vehicle accidents;
• House Bill 339, which prohibits uninsured drivers from receiving noneconomic damages against insured drivers in lawsuits relating to motor vehicle accidents;
• House Bill 1035, which allows cities to annex unincorporated areas by adopting an ordinance instead of needing a public vote;
• A bill that establishes custody and visitation rights for deployed military personnel;
• Senate Bill 9, which increases the penalties for cattle theft and regulates foreign ownership of land; and
• Senate Bill 129, which grants protections to doctors who volunteer their time to provide medical services at no cost to patients.

We also overrode the governor’s veto of legislation critical to preserving the lead mining industry in Missouri, which currently employs around 1,600 people in the southeast part of the state, not counting the ancillary businesses supported by it.

If the veto of House Bill 650 had been allowed to stand, those families would have seen their livelihoods disappear. Even worse, though, is the fact that a governor who expounds frequently on how to create more jobs would veto a measure designed to protect vital jobs, especially ones in rural areas, which often suffer from a much higher unemployment rate and lower-paying jobs than urban areas. Not to mention that the lead mining industry in Missouri accounts for almost $1 billion in state revenue and more than $7 million in local property taxes, funds critical to helping our state and communities provide vital services.

It’s also imperative to understand the importance of lead mining in Missouri. Our state was settled initially because of lead mining. We currently provide up to 70 percent of the world’s lead, which is still widely used and in high-demand. The veto of House Bill 650 almost ensured the death of the lead mining industry in our state. Thankfully, my fellow colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, understood the importance of overriding this dangerous veto, allowing us to muster the votes to enact the bill into law.

Unfortunately, this veto session was not without its disappointments. House Bill 253 was the most substantial tax relief measure to come out of the General Assembly in almost 100 years. It would have allowed every citizen and business in Missouri to keep more of their hard-earned dollars. Despite this, the veto override failed in the House by 16 votes.

House Bill 436 was another measure that fell just short of the necessary votes. The legislation would have added further protections to Missourians’ right to bear arms, a worthy goal. I will always stand in support of our Second Amendment rights.

Just because these bills failed to pass, however, doesn’t mean we haven’t made progress on these issues. As the governor himself noted, these measures are starting points for a wider discussion on how we can grant substantial tax relief to citizens and businesses and protect our Second Amendment rights.

We will certainly be looking at these goals in the next legislative session.  I only hope the governor is willing to be a part of the process and join us in finding common ground on what are admittedly very complicated and intricate issues, instead of staying silent until after the legislation is approved and then voicing his stance.

Switching to the national stage, I, like many Americans, have been greatly concerned by the current president’s seemingly headlong rush into a war with Syria. As many have pointed out, a limited bombing campaign in a Middle Eastern country is almost guaranteed to do nothing other than lead to an escalation of combat.

We still don’t have all the necessary information to make a decision with such far-reaching consequences. During my more than 25 years of experience in the military, much of it spent in intelligence, I know firsthand how constrained the military is in providing important information to Congress because of national security issues. I, like the majority of Americans, was greatly concerned we were blindly heading down a road with no idea where it ended.

In anticipation of this year’s veto session, I began drafting a resolution that would have expressed to the federal government how recklessly they were rushing into yet another costly and unnecessary war. However, the night before veto session, the president indicated in a national address that he would instead seek more diplomatic solutions before returning to the use of force. I’m glad that in this instance, sense prevailed, but I will continue to monitor this issue and make sure the voices of the public are heard.

Contact Me

I always appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write me at Wayne Wallingford, Missouri Senate, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email at wayne.wallingford@senate.mo.gov or www.senate.mo.gov/wallingford.